VIOLAS

The look of an instrument is also important to me, and it needs to suit my style of working. In the case of a viola there are also the practicalities of what size to make.

I make both 'middle' size violas, with a back length of about 16 1/4inches and a smaller viola of between 15 1/4 and 15 3/4 inches.

The middle size of viola I have been making for many years, as it is small enough to be comfortable for many viola players, whilst being large enough to develop a deep 'tenor' viola sound, particularly on the C string. This is also the size of viola which most soloists play. The model I use most frequently, because it works so well, is based on an Andrea Guarneri viola of 1676. I find the beauty in the underlying geometry which Andrea Guarneri learnt from his teacher Nicolo Amati, combined with the boldness of execution characteristic of the Guarneri family, suits my style of work very well. The original instrument has a pegbox with shoulders, like a cello, but I make a slightly smaller scroll without shoulders, which makes the viola easier to play in 1/2 position, and it reduces the weight at the far end of the viola where it is most noticeable. Two instruments of this model are now being played in the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Small Violas

I made my first small viola (15 1/2") somewhat against my 'better' judgement; I didn't think it possible to get a good sound, particularly from the C string with such a small instrument. However, I proved myself wrong, and now make more small violas than larger ones. Besides developing two 15 1/2" models of my own, in part because there are so few good old instruments to use as a model, I also make a 15 1/4" Belosio model, which is an excellent model.

My usual model for a 15 1/2 "viola is basically an enlarged violin, based on an instrument by Pietro Guarneri of Venice. This particular violin is wide enough across the middle to make it a good shape for a small viola. I work the instrument in the style of Pietro Guarneri, except for the archings of back and belly, which on the original violin are rather too stiff to make a good small viola. Like my other violas, I keep the scroll small to help make the instrument feel comfortable. Not surprisingly, my small violas are popular with viola players who have problems holding a larger viola, and violinists who play viola as a second instrument.